The Dmun of a New Era
Antonio. The initiative came from these two Mexican Catholics, who frankly stated they were interested in promoting education, in accord with the Declaration of Independence, but under Catholic auspices: "Un- less a people are educated and enlightened, it is idle to expect the con- tinuance of civil liberty or the capacity for self-government." Seguin and Navarro were confident they could secure a grant of four leagues of public land as an endowment for a college, if the Vincentian Visitor agreed to undertake its supervision. De Kalb College in Red River County, under sectarian management, had received such a grant that same month. The Republic of Texas, unable to establish and super- vise state-supported colleges at this time, adopted the policy of allowing Congress to grant public lands as endowments for private institutions. 47 The idea appealed strongly to Timon. In his report to Nozo he urged approving the establishment of a San Antonio college to promote the revival of Catholic activities in the new Republic. He inquired if there were not some languishing school in France that could release its teach- ing staff for the purpose. Timon generously offered to lend as teachers some of the Spanish missionaries who had arrived the previous October, and expressed willingness to hire some lay English teachers for the proposed academy in San Antonio. He pointed out to Nozo the many advantages which the establishment of a Catholic college would bring. Boys and young men from Texas, the United States, and even Mexico would come, "since the locality enjoys the most salubrious climate in all America." The foundation would prove a nursery for the Faith, provide revenue from land leases and tuition fees for the Vincentian program in Texas, and be of inesti- mable value in dispelling ignorance. In writing to Etienne almost three months later he exclaimed, "Oh, if you could but erect and staff a college in Texas! The investment would yield unlimited returns from every conceivable standpoint." Again he pointed out the possibility of obtaining a substantial grant of land as an endowment. 48 Timon's reports to Nozo and Etienne reveal that he urged immediate action. The frank attitude of the majority of the people he had met in Galveston and Houston had shown him a pronounced leaning toward Catholicism. But there was need for prompt action to take advantage of the favorable situation. The Constitution of the new Republic guaran- 47 Frederkk Eby, Ed11cation in Texas. Source lifaterial-s. (University of Texas Bulletin, April 25, 1918.) 48 Timon to l!tienne, May 21, 1839, cited in Bayard, o,;. ciJ., 67.
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